Combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, oil, orange juice, vanilla and eggs. Mix in flour mixture. Fold in almonds. Pour 1/3 of the batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Sprinkle with half of the apple mixture. Alternate layers of batter and filling, ending with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes, and then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

SOURCE: Ann Murphy

Some people like to show gratitude through a card, money or simply a pat on the back.

Members from the First Presbyterian Church in Victoria, decided to express their thanks to area firefighters with baked goods Wednesday morning.

Three vehicles pulled into Fire Station No. 1's parking lot about 10 a.m., with more than 40 dozen cookies and 20 cakes in tow.

The delivery was the finished product of a two-month planning process.

Gay Schneider, delivery coordinator, said members of the church made enough for each of the department's shifts across the city.

Wearing a black shirt and pants, Schneider followed Amelia Summerhays, 10, into the station balancing a crate of Bundt cakes and cookies.

The white, chalky-colored tables were covered by the fresh homemade confections.

It was the church's first time delivering holiday goods to the firefighters.

"One of our members suggested it after we had made our veterans delivery," Lynn McAuley said. "We plan on going to the police station to do the same later."

McAuley was joined by her sister Liz Williams, of Sugar Land, who carried one of the crates through the glass doors.

Both McAuley and Williams were born in Victoria, but have moved around since. McAuley has lived in Victoria for the past 10 years and is an active member of First Presbyterian Church.

"We're just very thankful for the work the department does," McAuley said. "Last week, they responded to a call my mother made after falling."

After making the morning delivery, the sisters said their next stop was to see their recovering mother at a nearby medical care center.

"We have lots of elderly people in the congregation," McAuley said. "Our firefighters are public servants, serving the hearts of the community."

A paramedic, engineer and assistant chief greeted the medley of pastries with wide smiles.

"This has all been pretty overwhelming and surprising," said Tracy Fox, assistant fire chief and a paramedic. "It can be tough for those of us that have to be away from our families while working holiday shifts."

About 75 percent of the calls the station gets are related to emergency medical services, said Fox.

"The majority of those are senior citizen calls," Fox said. "This shows that they recognized what we do for the community. It's humbling."